For more information about election coverage on
Everything Epping Forest and Everything Harlow, email
everythingeppingforest@gmail.com
or ring David Jackman 07710 447868.

Ejected Green Party candidate
suspended from party pending investigation

A GREEN Party candidate who
was escorted from the district council election
count by police last night has been suspended
from the party while an investigation takes
place into a complaint that he has brought the
party into disrepute.
Dave Plummer has apologised for his behaviour
and told Everything Epping Forest he had
"had a bit too much to drink".
A council spokesman told Everything Epping
Forest at the election count last night that Mr
Plummer, who was standing in the Waltham Abbey
Paternoster ward, was "asked to leave"
the election count.
He was escorted from the count centre at Debden
Park High School in Loughton by two police
officers before his ward result was declared.
Everything Epping Forest understands that count
officials and the police, who were already on
duty at the count, were alerted after Mr Plummer
was abusive towards candidates and their
supporters.
Mr Plummer, who came fourth out of five
candidates standing in the ward, told Everything
Epping Forest this morning: "I'd had a bit
too much to drink after a few very busy days and
was excessively belligerent in
conversation.
"I apologise for the upset and disturbance
my demeanour caused."
A statement sent to Everything Epping Forest
this afternoon stated: "Dave has apologised
for his actions at the count last night and is
seeking help for personal problems which have
affected his conduct.
"Epping Forest Green Party is investigating
a complaint that Daveís behaviour has brought
the party into disrepute, and he has been
suspended while this investigation takes
place.
"We cannot comment further while this
investigation is ongoing."
The Epping Forest Green Party has refused to say
who has made the complaint.

Ejected candidate apologises for
having "had a bit too much to drink"

A GREEN Party candidate who
had to be escorted from the district council
election count by police has apologised for his
behaviour and admitted he had "had a bit
too much to drink".
A council spokesman last night told Everything
Epping Forest that Dave Plummer, who was
standing in the Waltham Abbey Paternoster ward,
was "asked to leave" the election
count.
He was escorted from the count centre at Debden
Park High School in Loughton by two police
officers before his ward result was declared.
Everything Epping Forest understands that count
officials and the police, who were already on
duty at the count, were alerted after Mr Plummer
was abusive towards candidates and their
supporters.
Mr Plummer, who came fourth out of five
candidates standing in the ward, told Everything
Epping Forest this morning: "I'd had a bit
too much to drink after a few very busy days and
was excessively belligerent in
conversation.
"I apologise for the upset and disturbance
my demeanour caused."

Conservatives gain three seats on
district council

THE Conservatives were the
overall winners gaining three seats on Epping
Forest District Council.
The Conservatives took a Buckhurst Hill West
seat from the Independent group, a seat in
Waltham Abbey Honey Lane from UKIP, and the
Chipping Ongar, Greensted and Marden Ash seat
from the Liberal Democrats.
Loughton Residents Association retained their
five Loughton seats while 'father of the
council' Stephen Murray recorded the most
comprehensive victory of the night polling 82
per cent of the vote in Loughton Roding to
secure an 881-vote majority.
The closest result of the night was in Epping
Lindsey and Thornwood Common where Les Burrows
(Conservative) beat Liberal Democrat candidate
Cherry McCredie by just 30 votes.
The Conservative gains came in Buckhurst Hill
West where Jo Share-Bernia took the seat
previously held by Sylvia Watson (Independent),
in Waltham Abbey Honey Lane where the
Conservative candidates David Stocker and Steven
Heather took the two seats up for election; one
of the seats had been previously held by UKIP
councillor Rod Butler who came fifth out of the
six candidates, and in Chipping Ongar, Greensted
and Marden Ash where town councillor Basil Vaz
(Conservative) took the seat previously held by
the late Liberal Democrat councillor Brian
Surtees.
The largest turnout was 43.37 per cent in
Buckhurst Hill East while the lowest was just
19.69 per cent in Waltham Abbey Paternoster.

District council results

Epping Forest District
Council election results, with elected
councillors in capitals:

Epping Forest Labour Party launches
campaign with record number of candidates

EPPING Forest Labour Party
has launched its campaign for the May 3 Epping
Forest District Council elections saying it is
fielding more candidates than ever
before.
A spokesman said: "We want to make a real
difference in the area and can only do so by
gaining council seats and representing the
hard-working residents of Epping Forest crying
out for real change after decades of cuts to
local services by the complacent Tory-led
administration."
The spokesman added: "Previous Labour
councillors explained (at the launch) how it is
possible to make a positive impact even as a
member of an opposition party, and how important
this is for the people in Epping Forest who
are especially suffering as a result of cruel
Tory austerity.
"It is also impossible now to ignore
the adverse effect the weak divided minority
Conservative government cutbacks on the lives of
Epping Forest residents.
"Whilst these elections focus on local
issues itís an opportunity for residents to
send a clear message to (Theresa) May, (Boris)
Johnson and (Michael) Gove that enough is
enough.
"The very high cost of housing in this
area, which is now 15 times the average local
pay packet makes it virtually impossible for
local people, who are first-time buyers, to
remain in the area.
"It is clear that only Labour councilors in
the district will fight for the council homes
for residents that are desperately needed.
"Our green spaces are under threat and the
recent well-documented Tory Local Plan 'stitch
up' threatens to build unaffordable homes on
them once again depriving local hard working
people of a chance to live and thrive in Epping
Forest.
"It is time for a change and Epping Forest
Labour Party is determined to campaign to gain
district council seats in order to bring about
this change 'For The Many Not The
Few'."

SIXTY-five candidates are
standing for the 21 seats up for grabs at the
Epping Forest District Council elections on
Thursday, May 3.
Current district council chairman Dave Stallan
(Conservative) is retiring from his North Weald
Bassett seat while there is a straight fight between the Liberal
Democrats and Conservatives in Chipping Ongar,
Greensted and Marden Ash where the winning
candidate will take the seat previously held by
the late Brian Surtees (Liberal
Democrats).
And the two parties also come head-to-head in
North Weald Bassett.
Environment portfolio holder Will Breare-Hall is
standing down in Epping Lindsey and Thornwood
Common where there is a four-candidate fight
with two Epping town councillors - Les Burrows
(Conservatives) and Cherry McCredie (Liberal
Democrats) - among those contesting the seat.
The Green Party have decided not to field
candidates in any of the Loughton wards while
UKIP are contesting three seats.

Candidates confirmed for district
council elections

BUCKHURST HILL EAST
- one councillor to be elected - seat currently
held by Steven Neville (Green Party)

Dev Dodeja (Liberal Democrats) -

Steven Neville (Green Party) - is
seeking re-election in Buckhurst Hill East, the
ward in which he has lived for almost 43 years.
He campaigned successfully for the reopening of
the Buckhurst Hill Station entrance at Lower
Queens Road and for a pedestrian crossing at the
Albert Road/Loughton Way/Roding Lane junction
among others.
He said: "Over the last four
years it has been my honour and privilege to
represent the residents of Buckhurst Hill East
and with their support I hope to continue in
this role for another four years.
"Buckhurst
Hill East has a proud tradition of electing
non-Conservatives. If re-elected I will continue
to be an independent voice for the residents of
Buckhurst Hill East and will challenge things
that the district council does that affects my
residents negatively such as the inclusion of
the Lower Queens Road site in the Local Plan.Ē
PICTURE

Neville Wright (Conservative) - first
served the ward as a district councillor in
2012. A magistrate for five years, he continues
to sit on the Bench which serves the Epping
Forest and Harlow areas.
He said: "Crime in Epping Forest and
countywide still persists although in many areas
the police are using many new techniques to deal
with persistent crime. Buckhurst Hill has a
great tradition of hard-working, prudent
spending Conservative Values." PICTURE

-----

BUCKHURST HILL WEST - one councillor to
be elected - seat currently held by Sylvia
Watson (Independent)

Joseph Barkham (Liberal Democrats) -

Roger Neville (Green Party) -

Jo Share-Bernia (Conservative) - has
lived in Buckhurst Hill for 21 years and has
been a member of Buckhurst Hill Parish Council
for the last six years.
She said: "Over the last six years on the
parish council, I have gained a lot of
experience of the issues and concerns which face
our residents in Buckhurst Hill.
"I am delighted
that I will now have the opportunity to use that
knowledge and insight at the district council. I
have already met and know so many people locally
and my hope is that I will be able to help with
their problems even more than previously." PICTURE

-----

CHIGWELL VILLAGE - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Darshan Sunger
(Conservative)

Joanne Alexander-Sefre (Liberal Democrats)
-

Christopher Lord (Green Party) - has
stood as a candidate in Chigwell Village for the
last few years and is very keen to become a
councillor and help offer an alternative to the
"monochrome" Conservatives. He is very
concerned about improving safety for cyclists
and in developing safe off-road routes between
Chigwell, Loughton and Buckhurst Hill. As a
teacher he believes this will encourage children
to get healthier and more independent by cycling
to school (as well as reducing the congestion of
the school run). PICTURE

Wendy Maher (Labour) -

Darshan Sunger (Conservative) -

-----

CHIPPING ONGAR, GREENSTED AND MARDEN ASH
- one councillor to be elected - seat currently
held by the late Brian Surtees (Liberal
Democrats)

Pesh Kapasiawala (Liberal Democrats) - has
lived in the Epping Forest district for 13 years
and has experience of business and the voluntary
sector. He volunteers for local charities and is
trustee of two well-known district-wide
voluntary organisations. He is an active member
of the Epping Forest Dementia Action Alliance
group and, with his Rotary Club, founded a
Memory Cafe in 2015. He also volunteers at, and
supports, the Epping Forest Food Bank. As a
committee member of the Epping Forest Chamber of
Commerce and YES (Youth Employment Strategy) he
promotes local businesses and youth employment.
He is a keen athlete and has run 17 marathons
raising tens of thousands of pounds for various
charities.
He said: "Keeping fit is important for
everyone and a variety of activities is needed.
I support keeping the sports centre in Ongar and
protecting open spaces for recreation. The
Conservatives' Local Plan is likely to expand
Ongar by around 600 more homes Ė mainly on
Green Belt sites.
"I am very concerned by the impact of this
on local facilities and local roads. I will
fight new developments which do not deliver the
new infrastructure and community facilities that
local residents require." PICTURE

Basil Vaz (Conservative) -

-----

EPPING HEMNALL - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Janet
Whitehouse (Liberal Democrats)

Simon Baker (Conservative) - has lived in
the Epping Hemnall Ward for some years and works
in information governance. His key interests
include supporting small businesses, ensuring
infrastructure is in place to support the Local
Plan and tackling anti-social behaviour.
He said: "I welcome the three extra police
officers and security patrols Epping Forest
District Council is funding." PICTURE

Inez Collier (Labour) -

Janet Whitehouse (Liberal Democrats) - was
first elected in 1996 and has served as a
district councillor for 22 years and as county
councillor for Epping and Theydon Bois for eight
years. She served as a governor at two local
schools and in 2010 was awarded the High
Sheriff's award for community safety.
She said: " I have worked hard to represent
residents' interests in the face of the
Conservatives' controversial Local Plan which
allocates a disproportionate amount of new
development to Epping without the infrastructure
to support it.
"I successfully persuaded
the council to amend the plan to ensure the
library is re-provided if the existing site is
redeveloped. I campaigned to keep a sports
centre in the town following the Conservatives'
decision to allocate the current sports centre
site for 43 flats.
"I care for the
environment and founded a local reuse charity.
"I
have a long record of working with older and
retired people ranging from helping set up the
councilís handyperson service for older
householders to serving on national older peopleís
organisations.
"I am an active member of the
Epping Forest dementia group, working to make
Epping Forest a dementia-friendly community. I
am also a member of Epping Community Speedwatch."
PICTURE

-----

EPPING LINDSEY AND THORNWOOD COMMON - one
councillor to be elected - seat currently held
by Will Breare-Hall (Conservative)

Simon Bullough (Labour) -

Les Burrows (Conservative) - has lived
in the ward for 40 years. Before becoming
involved with local politics he was a trustee of
a charity for the temporary homeless based in
North Weald from 2003 to 2009. He was elected to
Epping Town Council in 2012 and was Mayor in
2016-17. He has also been involved with several
community groups during the past seven years,
including Epping in Bloom. His priorities
include ensuring necessary infrastructure is in
place to support the Local Plan.
He said: "I will campaign for improved
leisure and sports facilities within close reach
of local people. I will work with our local
county councillor to ease traffic congestion at
Palmers Hill, Bell Common and speeding motorists
on the High Road at Thornwood Common, to make
our roads safer, and I will support actions to
see the reduction of anti-social behaviour in
our area." PICTURE

Cherry McCredie (Liberal Democrats) -

Paul Scales (Green Party) -

-----

GRANGE HILL - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Gagan Mohindra
(Conservative)

Gagan Mohindra (Conservative) -

Kay Morrison (Labour) -

Rupert Nelson (Green Party) -

-----

LOUGHTON ALDERTON - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Chris Roberts (Loughton
Residents Association)

Angela Ayre (Labour) -

Robert Church (Conservative) - runs a
local garden centre with his family. He says he
"cares passionately" about the
environment and is a "champion of open
spaces".
He said: "Experienced in planning matters
and supportive of the green belt, I would like
to use that experience to benefit local
residents and will strive for the greater good
of our district and stand up for residents'
concerns." PICTURE

Chris Roberts (Loughton Residents Association)
-

-----

LOUGHTON BROADWAY - two councillors to be
elected - seat currently held by Chris Pond (Loughton
Residents Association) and Leon Girling (Loughton
Residents Association)

Katherine Harris (Conservative) - lives in
the Loughton Broadway ward and her son attends
Thomas Willingale School. She has worked locally
for several years and has been involved in
children centres helping facilitate charity
support groups. She currently works for a GP
practice.
She said: "Although national politics is
important to me, my main passion and focus is
helping my local community." PICTURE

Rosie Kelly (Labour) -

Michael Owen (Loughton Residents Association)
-

Chris Pond (Loughton Residents Association)
-

Marshall Vance (Conservative) -

-----

LOUGHTON FAIRMEAD - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Louise Mead (Loughton
Residents Association)

George Bose (Conservative) - has lived
in Loughton all his life.
He said: "I care about our community and am
dedicated to being open, transparent and
accessible.
"I have lived in Loughton all my
life, was educated locally and after graduating
from university, moved to Fairmead. I strongly
believe that local residents should make
decisions about local issues and should be
represented by a local person." PICTURE

Louise Mead (Loughton Residents Association)
-

Paul Thomas (Labour) -

-----

LOUGHTON FOREST - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Roger Baldwin (Loughton
Residents Association)

Roger Baldwin (Loughton Residents Association) -

Jonathan Hunter (Conservative) - he
was brought up in Cambridge and has lived with
his family in Loughton for the last 14 years. He
served as deputy chairman of Epping Forest
Conservative Association for the last three
years.
He said: "Never has it been more important
to vote Conservative and keep the message
nationally that a Labour Government would be a
disaster for Loughton, Essex and the UK." PICTURE

Martin Lawford (Labour) -

-----

LOUGHTON RODING - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Stephen Murray
(Independent)

Peter Murray (Conservative) -

Stephen Murray (Independent) - is the
longest-serving district councillor having
served continuously for 36 years. First elected
for Loughton Broadway in May 1982, he
represented the ward for 16 years before
switching to Loughton Roding in 1998 which he
has represented for the last 20 years. He has
served as a Loughton town councillor for 18
years and is currently deputy mayor.
He said: "I enjoy getting involved in local
issues, particularly ward issues and being able
to offer advice to local residents.
"One of the
main issues at the moment is undoubtedly the
threat posed to our green lungs / village greens
within Loughton. I will continue to be very
supportive of the 'Save Jessel Green
Campaign'." PICTURE

Kenneth Turner (Labour) -

-----

LOUGHTON ST JOHNS - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Bob Jennings (Loughton
Residents Association)

Neal Bagshaw (Conservative) - has
lived in Epping Forest for 15 years and
currently works as a director for a medical
sales company having previously worked in
banking for ten years.
He said: "I believe in the importance of
keeping Loughton safe from over-development. The
district council is Conservative-led and a vote
for me would ensure that Loughton St Johnís
gets a strong voice on the district
council."
PICTURE

Jill Bostock (Labour) -

Bob Jennings (Loughton Residents Association)
-

-----

LOUGHTON ST MARYS - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Howard Kauffman
(Loughton Residents Association)

Jon Gilbert (Liberal Democrats) -

Howard Kauffman (Loughton Residents Association)
-

Joyce Obaseki (Conservative) - has
lived in Loughton for many years with her
husband and three children. She was a secondary
school teacher and coach for 16 years before she
started a social enterprise, Grant a
Smile.
She said: "I am very passionate about
serving my local community in Loughton St Maryís
ward and making a real difference for our
residents.
"I will always be tenacious and
honest." PICTURE

Benjamin Ross (Labour) -

-----

LOWER NAZEING - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Yolanda Knight
(Conservative)

Martin Harvey (UKIP) -

Brett Hawksbee (Labour) -

Yolanda Knight (Conservative) - has
been a district councillor for eight years and
has lived in Nazeing for 11 years. Both her
children attended Nazeing Primary School. She
has been a Nazeing parish councillor and
chairman of the district council's plans west
sub-committee which covers the local area. She
is also chairman of the district council's
Communities Select Committee.

Elaine Thatcher (Liberal Democrats) - was
involved in the campaign against
Conservative-run Hertfordshire County council's
incinerator, working across the county boundary
with Broxbourne Liberal Democrats. She is
concerned about the existing traffic in and
around Nazeing and will campaign for transport
and road safety improvements to be implemented,
especially in light of the 122 homes planned for
Nazeing as part of the Epping Forest Local Plan.
She wants any new developments to include
genuinely affordable homes suitable for local
people seeking their first home. PICTURE

NORTH WEALD BASSETT - one councillor to
be elected - seat currently held by David
Stallan (Conservative)

Ingrid Black (Liberal Democrats) - has
lived in the district for over 30 years and
brought up her family here. She is a part-time
primary school teacher and has taught in several
schools in the area. She was a school governor
of Epping St Johnís C of E School and was part
of the team that oversaw the move into its new
building and the creation of the Sixth Form. She
is a volunteer at Epping Forest Foodbank and a
member of a local church.
She said: "As a local resident, I am very
aware of the appalling condition of local roads
and pavements and regularly spend time reporting
potholes and other damage.
"I am concerned about
vehicles speeding through North Weald and along
other local roads and support Speedwatch as a
deterrent.
"As a teacher and former school
governor, Iím concerned at the loss of the
youth services that used to be provided by
Conservative-controlled Essex County
Council." PICTURE

Peter Bolton (Conservative) -

-----

THEYDON BOIS - one councillor to be
elected - seat currently held by Sue Jones
(Conservative)

Clive Amos (Liberal Democrats) - moved
to Theydon Bois nearly 30 years ago because of
its rural setting close to London. He has a
background in the health service, working in the
NHS in London for many years before retiring. He
served as a magistrate for 25 years during which
he was elected chairman of the Bench for the
maximum permissible three years. He also chaired
the Finance Committee of the Greater London
Magistrates Courts Authority responsible for the
management of magistratesí courts across
London.
He said: "In Theydon Bois it is important
to ensure we maintain close scrutiny of all
planning applications, resist those that are
inappropriate and would spoil the village and
ensure planning decisions are strictly
enforced.
"Speeding vehicles and burglaries are also
a problem and I am pressing for a more visible
police presence as a deterrent.
"Like most residents I am deeply concerned
by the state of our roads and pavements which
the county council has failed to maintain.
"In the light of government cuts I will do
all I can to ensure that residents money is
spent wisely to deliver the local services we
need." PICTURE

Sue Jones (Conservative) - has been a
Theydon Bois councillor for eight years and has
lived in the village almost all her life. A
former teacher at Theydon Bois Primary School,
she now teaches part-time at another local
school. She has been a parish councillor for 12
years, four of them as chairman, and chaired the
planning committee. She has chaired the district
council's plans east sub-committee for four
years.

Peter Richardson (Labour) -

-----

WALTHAM ABBEY HONEY
LANE - two councillors to be elected -
seats currently held by Rod Butler (UKIP) and
Glynis Shiell (Conservative)

Rod Butler (UKIP) - has lived in the area
for 11 years. He has two grown-up children and
two grandchildren. He was first elected as a
councillor for Honey Lane in May 2013 with 45
per cent of the total votes. For 35 year he has
worked as a karate instructor running clubs in
various areas. He runs the karate club at
Waltham Abbey Pool. He
describes himself as an "advocate" for
protecting the forest and local green belt, and
does not support the "never-ending"
building of houses on Green Belt land or in
"community designated" areas.
He said: "The problems caused by the
overflow of heavy duty lorries from the M25
junction 26 lorry park have been immense in the
areas of Honey Lane, Old Shire Lane,
Farthingdale Lane and other roads in the area.
"The roads, verges, bollards and pavements have
all been damaged by illegal parking in the local
roads. I do intend to get this problem sorted
out and will present a question about this to
full council at the next council meeting." PICTURE

Mitch Diamond-Conway (Labour) -

Steven Heather (Conservative) - a
retired firefighter, he has lived in Waltham
Abbey for 24 years. He is a committee member of
Waltham Abbey Residents Association and chairman
of Waltham Holy Cross Conservative Club and was
a governor at Upshire Primary School.
He said: "If elected I shall do whatever I
can to preserve the village feel of the
town."

Carina Hill (Green Party) - a former
registered nurse and childrenís nursery owner
with a law degree, Carina works for a charity
and has a particular interest in environmental
and animal welfare issues. Locally she was
involved in the successful campaign to prevent
commercial deer hunting in Epping Forest and has
led calls for reducing traffic-related deer
deaths. She plays an active role in both the
Plasticís Not Fantastic in Epping Forest
campaign to reduce single-use plastics and the
Waltham Abbey Litter Picking Posse. She is also
involved with several local animal and wildlife
groups, including Waltham Abbey Wildlife Rescue
and Rehabilitation. PICTURE

David Stocker (Conservative) - has
lived in the area all his life, the last 20
years in Waltham Abbey. He ran a jewellers in
Highbridge Street until he retired in 2016.
Since then he has been actively involved in many
local community groups.
He said: "If elected I will actively
campaign to get our street lights back on. I
believe it is vitally important that residents
do not feel vulnerable when they need to step
out of their homes after dark."

Timothy Vaughan (Liberal Democrats) - has
lived in Waltham Abbey for eight years and
currently chairs the local branch of the Liberal
Democrats, of which he has been a member for
more than 15 years.
He said: "I strongly support Liberal
Democrats' policies on protecting and promoting
our health and education services, as well as
social care in the community.
"Cutbacks to vital services under the
Conservatives have made life more difficult for
many in our community and caused further
deterioration in the local environment, for
example the quality of roads.
"At the same time insensitive housing
development is encouraged. If elected I would
actively promote a reappraisal of budgets for
local services and a more careful and considered
approach to housing development." PICTURE

-----

WALTHAM ABBEY PATERNOSTER - one
councillor to be elected - seat currently held
by David Dorrell (Conservative)

David Dorrell (Conservative) - a
former UKIP district councillor, he joined the
Conservative group earlier this year. He
resigned from UKIP at the time of last year's
elections and until his switch to the
Conservatives had sat as an Independent
councillor. He was originally elected in Waltham
Abbey Paternoster as a UKIP district councillor
in May 2014.
He said: "At a local level I wholeheartedly
support the Conservative ethos of delivering
essential services as efficiently as possible,
while keeping council tax frozen, and I have
been particularly impressed with how well the
Transformation programme is being managed to
this end."

Robert Greyson (Labour) -

Ron McEvoy (UKIP) -

Dave Plummer (Green Party) - has worked in
both the public and private sectors. He
currently runs his own small business providing
backroom support for small charities and
volunteers at The Scratching Post Cat Rescue
centre off Honey Lane. A former trade union
representative, he has a particular interest in
improving the public services and infrastructure
that the less well-off rely on. He has been
involved local, varied campaigns, from the
campaign to save the Royal Gunpowder Mills to
helping address car parking charges in Lee
Valley Regional Park sites. He is currently
helping parents campaign to save Waltham Holy
Cross School from being forced to become an
academy. He set up the Waltham Abbey Litter
Picking Posse group and Plastic's Not Fantastic
in Epping Forest campaign and is a founding
member of the Epping Forest Transport Action
Group, campaigning for better public transport
and safer streets in Epping Forest. He was
pivotal in arranging a new school bus for Epping
St Johns pupils and is currently working to
reinstate late evening buses for Waltham Abbey.
He is secretary of the Waltham Abbey
Neighbourhood Plan committee and a member of the
Waltham Abbey Residents Association committee. PICTURE

Conservatives confirm Loughton
Alderton candidate

THE Conservatives have
announced Bob Church as the party's candidate
for the Loughton Alderton ward at the Epping
Forest District Council elections.
Mr Church says he "cares passionately"
about the environment and is "champion of
open spaces".
Mr Church, who runs a local garden centre with
his wife and grown-up children, said:
"Experienced in planning matters and
supportive of the green belt, I would like to
use that experience to benefit local residents
and will strive for the greater good of our
district and stand up for residents'
concerns."

THE Conservatives have
named George Bose as the party's candidate in
the Loughton Fairmead ward in the Epping Forest
District Council elections on Thursday, May
3.
He said: "I care about our community and am
dedicated to being open, transparent and
accessible.
"I have lived in Loughton all my life, was
educated locally and after graduating from
university, moved to Fairmead.
"I strongly believe that local residents
should make decisions about local issues and
should be represented by a local person."

THE Conservatives have
chosen Neville Wright as the candidate for the
Buckhurst Hill East ward at the Epping Forest
District Council elections on Thursday, May
3.
He said: "With your support I intend to
represent your needs and aspirations whether
that is just fixing the ubiquitous potholes or
planning for the local community that our
children and grandchildren will inherit.
"When I first represented you at district
level in 2012 I had been a magistrate for five
years and I continue to sit on the Bench
although the courts have amalgamated in
Chelmsford with Harlow and Epping closing
down.
"Crime in Epping Forest and countywide
still persists although in many areas the police
are using many new techniques to deal with
persistent crime."
He added: "Buckhurst Hill has a great
tradition of hard-working, prudent spending
Conservative Values.
"We constantly review our services and just
in the case of our halls, if we believe we can
achieve more we will plan to do so, whether that
be spending on the upkeep or looking to remodel
them.
"We have a winning team of Conservatives
already running all levels of local government
in Epping Forest, and with your help I intend to
continue that tradition."

THE deputy chairman of
Epping Forest Conservative Association has been
chosen to contest the Loughton Forest ward at
the district council elections in May.
Jonathan Hunter was brought up in Cambridge and
has lived with his family in Loughton for the
last 14 years.
He has been deputy chairman of Epping Forest
Conservative Association for the last three
years.
He said: "Forest Ward is one of the few
district council seats in Loughton which has
voted Conservative recently.
"Never has it been more important to vote
Conservative and keep the message nationally
that a Labour Government would be a disaster for
Loughton, Essex and the UK."

EPPING Forest District
Council's longest-serving councillor, Loughton
Roding Independent, Stephen Murray is seeking
re-election in May.
Mr Murray has served continuously on the
district council for 36 years having been first
elected for the Loughton Broadway ward in May
1982.
He switched to the Loughton Roding ward in
1998.
He said: "I have also served on Loughton
Town Council for 18 years and am currently
deputy mayor.
"I enjoy getting involved in local issues,
particularly ward issues, and being able to
offer advice to local residents. Presently I
have a record of more than 7,500 individual
cases I have had some involvement with over the
years.
"One of the main issues at the moment is
undoubtedly the threat posed to our green lungs
/ village greens within Loughton. I will
continue to be very supportive of the 'Save
Jessel Green Campaign'."
Mr Murray has retired from full-time teaching at
Roding Valley High School and hopes to be able
to devote even more time to his council duties
if re-elected.
He said: "My main passion is being able to
support local groups within our community and
dealing with individual residents enquiries.
"I feel it is also important to have
experienced councillors who can keep a watchful
eye of scrutiny on the proposals and decisions
made by the majority group."
Away from council work, Mr Murray is chairman of
the Oakwood Hill Estate old peoples club,
chairman of the local Royal Forest Scout
Association, a volunteer at Epping Forest
Foodbank, a trustee of the Reuse Centre social
enterprise and a committed Christian worshipping
at Loughton Methodist Church.

Buckhurst Hill parish councillor is
Conservative candidate in Buckhurst Hill West for
district council elections

BUCKHURST Hill parish
councillor Joanne Share-Bernia has been chosen
as the Conservative candidate for Buckhurst Hill
West at the Epping Forest District Council in
May.
She has lived in Buckhurst West for 21 years.
Her family also lives locally.
A chartered psychologist working in the public
and private sectors, she has been a parish
councillor for six years.
"I have enjoyed working with the community
and other councillors to improve facilities
locally and passing on concerns like potholes,
parking complaints and safety issues of
residents to our district and county councillors."
She has been council vice-chairman and is
currently chairman of the recreation and
amenities committee.
"I have supported the successful Community
Cinema and recently supervised the landscaping
of a derelict area, Stacey Gardens, on High
Road, Buckhurst Hill, as a beautiful green place
for residents to enjoy.
"We have the extremely hard-working
councillor Chambers to thank for helping me to
resurrect this green space.
"My local activities include actively
supporting all Buckhurst Hill events, with
district councillor Gavin Chambers and county
councillor Valerie Metcalfe.
"For example, Christmas in Queens Road and
more sombre events like Remembrance Day."

Conservatives confirm Epping
Hemnall candidate for district council elections

THE Conservative candidate
for the Epping Hemnall ward at the Epping Forest
District Council elections is focussed on the
infrastructure needed to support the Local Plan,
and local policing.
Simon Baker has lived in the Epping Hemnall Ward
for some years and commutes into London where he
works in information governance.
He said: "It is vital we support small
business. I use Epping Sports Centre and
appreciate its importance to local residents, if
elected I would push to ensure there was a high
quality centre in close proximity to Epping and
Coopersale. "I am a member of Epping
Neighbourhood Action Plan group.
"If elected I want to ensure the
infrastructure proposed for Epping as part of
the Local Plan such as the neighbourhood centre,
the health hub and the new primary school in Ivy
Chimneys are delivered and the new library put
in an accessible location.
"I am also interested in the issue of
anti-social behaviour and attended the Essex
Police and Crime Commissionerís last public
forum, asking local police about measures they
were taking to tackle anti-social behaviour in
Theydon Grove and Broadoaks.
"I welcome the three extra police officers
and security patrols Epping Forest District
Council is funding."

Conservatives announce Loughton St
Mary's candidate for district council elections

THE Conservatives have
confirmed the party's candidate for the Loughton
St Mary's ward at the Epping Forest District
Council elections.
Joyce Obaseki has lived in Loughton for many
years with her husband and three children.
She was a secondary school teacher and coach for
16 years before she started a social enterprise,
Grant a Smile.
She said: "I am very passionate about
serving my local community in Loughton St Maryís
ward and making a real difference for our
residents. I will always be tenacious and
honest."

Former Mayor is Conservative
candidate for Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common

FORMER Epping mayor Les
Burrows is the Conservative candidate for the
Epping Lindsey and Thornwood Common ward at the
Epping Forest District Council elections in
May.
Mr Burrows and his wife, Carol, have lived in
the ward for 40 years. Both their children were
born at St Margaret's Hospital.
He said: "Before becoming involved with
local politics I was a trustee of a charity for
the temporary homeless based in North Weald from
2003 to 2009."
Mr Burrows was first elected to Epping Town
Council in 2012 and was Mayor in 2016-17.
He has served on various committees, including
the Anti-Social Behaviour Working Group.
He was deputy chairman of the planning and
general purposes committee and is also on the
development committee for the future of the St
John's Road site.
He has also been involved with several community
groups during the past seven years, including
Epping in Bloom.
Mr Burrows said: "My four priorities will
be to ensure that Epping Lindsey and Thornwood
Common gets the appropriate infrastructure
following the implementation of the Local
Plan.
"I will campaign for improved leisure and
sports facilities within close reach of local
people.
"I will work with our local county
councillor to ease traffic congestion at Palmers
Hill, Bell Common and speeding motorists on the
High Road at Thornwood Common, to make our roads
safer, and I will support actions to see the
reduction of anti-social behaviour in our
area."

THE Conservative candidate
for the Loughton Broadway ward at May's district
council elections says her main passion is
"helping the community".
Katharine Harris said: "I have chosen to
live in this vibrant Loughton Broadway ward and
my son attends Thomas Willingale School.
"I have worked locally for several years
and have been involved in children centres
helping facilitate charity support groups,
currently working for a GP practice alongside an
NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.
"Although national politics is important to
me, my main passion and focus is helping my
local community."

THE Conservatives have
confirmed their candidate for the Loughton St
John's ward for May's district council
elections.
Neal Bagshaw, 40, has lived in Epping Forest for
15 years and currently works as a director for a
medical sales company having previously worked
in banking for ten years.
He said: "I believe in the importance of
keeping Loughton safe from
over-development.
"The district council is Conservative-led
and a vote for me would ensure that Loughton St
Johnís gets a strong voice on the district
council."

BUCKHURST Hill West parish
councillor Joanne Share-Bernia has been
unanimously selected by Epping Forest
Conservatives to stand in the Buckhurst Hill
West ward at the Epping Forest District Council
elections on Thursday, May 3.
District councillor and Epping Forest
Conservative Association officer Gavin Chambers
said: "I am delighted that Joanne, who is
both a friend and colleague, has been selected.
I know how hard she already works for our
community.
"Jo always responds to whatever she is
asked to do, and I welcome the fact that she
will join our Conservative team in Buckhurst
Hill.
"I look forward to the opportunity to work
alongside her at the district
council."
Joanne said: "Over the last six years on
the parish council, I have gained a lot of
experience of the issues and concerns which face
our residents in Buckhurst Hill.
"I am delighted that I will now have the
opportunity to use that knowledge and insight at
the district council.
"I have already met and know so many people
locally and my hope is that I will be able to
help with their problems even more than
previously."

Former UKIP councillor joins
Conservatives

FORMER UKIP district
councillor David Dorrell has joined the
Conservative group on Epping Forest District
Council and has been selected as Conservative
candidate Waltham Abbey Paternoster at the May
elections.
Mr Dorrell said: "As one who campaigned
passionately for Vote Leave it has become clear
in the 18 months since that the Conservatives
are the only party that can or even want to
deliver a pragmatic Brexit, opening up global
future opportunities while safeguarding business
in the short term.
"At a local level I wholeheartedly support
the Conservative ethos of delivering essential
services as efficiently as possible, while
keeping council tax frozen, and I have been
particularly impressed with how well the
Transformation programme is being managed to
this end.
"I look forward to being able to continue
representing my residents' interests as I always
have, but with more support and better contacts
at both district and county level, I hope to get
even more done for them in the
future."
Mr Dorrell was originally elected in Waltham
Abbey Paternoster as a UKIP district councillor
in May 2014.
He resigned from UKIP at the time of last year's
elections since when he has been sitting as an
Independent councillor.

Green Party co-leader to visit
Buckhurst Hill

GREEN Party co-leader
Jonathan Bartley will visit Buckhurst Hill on
Saturday (February 10) to speak to residents and small
business owners about how the Green Party is
working to improve their community.
Mr Bartley, a dedicated disability rights
campaigner and father to a disabled son, will
visit Buckhurst Hill Station where Green Party
councillor Steven Neville has successfully
campaigned for step-free access.
During Saturday's visit, he will also go to
Lower Queens Road where small businesses and
flats are under threat as a potential site for
development in the district council's Local
Plan.
The visit is part of a local Green Party action
day of campaigning ahead of the May district
council elections when Mr Neville will be
standing for re-election.
Mr Bartley said: "With just two district
councillors, the Greens in Epping Forest are
making a real difference from securing step-free
access at Buckhurst Hill Station to reducing
plastic use in the council offices and across
Epping Forest.
"They are the voice of local people whether
it be supporting the local campaign to save a
well-loved green space or fighting to save shops
and other small businesses from
demolition.
"One of those businesses, the IG9 cafe, has
a great reputation for their vegan options so
I'm particularly looking forward to visiting and
finding out more."
Mr Neville, one of two Green Party district
councillors for Buckhurst Hill East, said:
"I am delighted Jonathan is coming to see
some of the work we have been doing.
"Step-free access for Buckhurst Hill
Station has been long overdue and is a must for
disabled people, the elderly and parents with
small children especially.
"Our fight to save the shops and homes of
those in Lower Queens Road is very
important."
He added: "We believe in a strong local
small business sector and that people should not
be turfed out of their homes for redevelopment.
This is part of the work of I have been doing
over four years representing my residents."

Longest-serving district councillor to seek
re-election

THE longest-serving district
councillor, Stephen Murray, has announced his
intention to seek re-election to Epping Forest
District Council in May for a further four-year
term.
Mr Murray, the Independent councillor for
Loughton Roding and longest serving district
councillor, has served continuously on the
district council for 36 years having been first
elected for the Loughton Broadway ward in May
1982.
He represented Loughton Broadway for 16 years
before switching to Loughton Roding in 1998
which he has represented for the last 20
years.
He said: "I have also served on Loughton
Town council for 18 years and am currently
deputy mayor.
"I enjoy getting involved in local issues,
particularly ward issues and being able to offer
advice to local residents.
"One of the main issues at the moment is
undoubtedly the threat posed to our green lungs
/ village greens within Loughton.
"I will continue to be very supportive of
the 'Save Jessel Green Campaign'."
Mr Murray has just retired from full-time
teaching at Roding Valley High School and hopes
to be able to devote even more time to his
council duties if re-elected in May.
He said: "My main passion is being able to
support local groups within our community and
dealing with individual residents enquiries.
"As an Independent I will simply be
standing on my track record and getting the best
deal for the area I represent and the wider
district."

Greens stand aside to help save
Jessel Green

EPPING Forest Green Party
members have voted not to contest wards held by
Loughton Residents Association (LRA) in May's
Epping Forest District Council elections.
Buckhurst Hill East Green Party councillor
Steven Neville said: "Saving our precious green
spaces is a must and I know Jessel Green is well
used by the residents who live there.
"It is with this in mind that we are not
standing against the LRA who serve the residents
of Loughton well at the next local elections. It
is decision of a poll of our members and is the
right one at this moment in time."
Epping Forest Green Party co-ordinator Dave
Plummer said: "Epping Forest Green Party
officers thought very hard before suggesting
this to our members. We believe that everybody
who wants to vote Green should be able to.
"However every vote for a non-LRA candidate is a
vote that could lose an LRA seat on the district
council, making the fight to save Jessel Green
even harder.
"We're proud of our members for voting to stand
aside on this one occasion and in this very
specific circumstance.
"Saving Jessel Green is too important to risk
undermining the campaign for the sake of party
politics."
Mr Neville and Green Party councillor Simon
Heap, who also represents Buckhurst Hill East,
both voted against building on Jessel Green at
December's Local Plan meeting and say they are
working to protect shops and housing near
Buckhurst Hill station from redevelopment.
The LRA-held wards in question are Loughton
Alderton, Loughton Broadway, Loughton Fairmead,
Loughton Forest, Loughton St John's and Loughton
St Mary's.